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Keep getting safety alert beep on 2012 Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by irfanlai, Oct 28, 2022.

  1. irfanlai

    irfanlai Junior Member

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    I have a 2012 Prius with 100K miles. New tires were installed last week.

    I have been getting a beep sound with the triangle exclamation which is the safety alert. I get this beep when I am taking a turn.
    What does that mean? I am hoping not a big expense.
     
  2. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    What do you see on the oil dipstick?
     
  3. irfanlai

    irfanlai Junior Member

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    I have not checked that but now if you have asked then I will check and post my findings
     
  4. irfanlai

    irfanlai Junior Member

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    I just checked and looks like there is no oil. I wiped it with tissue and inserted it again. Next, when I wipe on a tissue, there is a little bit of oil at the bottom of the stick.
    Oh man...this is crazy
     
  5. irfanlai

    irfanlai Junior Member

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    How did my car pass the inspection which was last week? Also there should have been engine oil light which I don't see it?

    How is that possible with so less oil.
     
  6. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    What kind of inspection? A state safety inspection doesn't check this sort of thing. A maintenance inspection or oil change should have caught it, or may be been done improperly.
    You saw it, the warning for low oil pressure. Like most cars, there is no low oil level warning. The turn likely sloshed the oil away from the oil pump intake briefly, causing the momentary low pressure warning.
    When was the last time you, or anyone else, checked the oil level? Hopefully within the last 1000-ish miles.

    This is supposed to be a regular check item for virtually all motor vehicles. Most drivers don't check anywhere near this often, and get by just fine ... until they don't.
     
    #6 fuzzy1, Oct 28, 2022
    Last edited: Oct 28, 2022
    CR94 likes this.
  7. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Open the back hatch and slam it shut. The take those turns again
     
  8. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    ^ I think that is the solution for a different cryptic message, something like "Key Not Detected".
     
  9. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Hate to be the bad news bear but if you don’t fill it up, big expense will be trick or treating at your door soon.